Unraveling the role of coherence in the first law of quantum thermodynamics
Bertúlio de Lima Bernardo
Abstract
One of the fundamental questions in the emerging field of quantum thermodynamics is the role played by coherence in energetic processes that occur at the quantum level. Here we address this issue by investigating two different quantum versions of the first law of thermodynamics, derived from the classical definitions of work and heat. By doing so, we find out that there exists a mathematical inconsistency between both scenarios. We further show that the energetic contribution of the dynamics of coherence is the key ingredient to establish the consistency. Some examples involving two-level atomic systems are discussed in order to illustrate our findings.
Topics & Concepts
Coherence (philosophical gambling strategy)Quantum thermodynamicsSecond law of thermodynamicsQuantumTheoretical physicsConsistency (knowledge bases)Statistical physicsLaws of thermodynamicsWork (physics)PhysicsThermodynamicsNon-equilibrium thermodynamicsQuantum mechanicsMathematicsGeometryAdvanced Thermodynamics and Statistical MechanicsSpectroscopy and Quantum Chemical StudiesQuantum Information and Cryptography